Newcastle have reportedly ‘knocked on the door’ as they look to sign Marco Asensio from Real Madrid, though another transfer agreement could see him go elsewhere.
Asensio is well and truly in the final year of his Real contract. Reports claim he has little interest in signing an extension and will therefore aim to secure a move to another big European club.
The winger has been on the radars of Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea in previous months. But it is now Newcastle who appear to be pushing hardest to capture him, from England at least.
According to Sport Witness, who cite reports coming out of Spain, Newcastle have ‘knocked on the door’ for Asensio.
They want to beat any other interested clubs to his signature and are planning to submit a bid in January.
The winter transfer window is Real’s last chance to receive any money for Asensio. If they reject the January approaches for him then the Spaniard can walk away from the Bernabeu for free next summer.
Newcastle are eyeing a new winger as they aim to challenge the ‘Big Six’ and Asensio would be a perfect addition. He is a player with international and Champions League experience, who has also won plenty of trophies while at Real.
The report doesn’t reveal how much Newcastle’s bid for Asensio could come to, or whether Real will accept it straight away.
Marco Asensio to Newcastle facing big threat
Unfortunately for Newcastle fans, they shouldn’t get too excited about his potential arrival at St James’ Park just yet.
That’s because the Sport Witness article notes other reports in Spain which claim Asensio has already reached an ‘agreement’ over a separate move.
They suggest he is close to joining Real’s fierce rivals Barcelona on a free transfer in summer 2023. Asensio has already agreed to pen a four-year deal at the Camp Nou, too.
The 26-year-old’s prospective move from Real to Barca became a possibility earlier this month. It would be an incredibly brave transfer for him to make.
Few have ever directly swapped one Spanish giant for the other. And when they have done it was met with huge controversy – just look at Barca fans’ treatment of Luis Figo after he went from the Blaugrana to Real in 2000.
If Asensio takes this into account, then it would probably be best for him to try out a new league and come to England.
Newcastle would be ready and waiting to snap him up if he went for this option.
Wide man plotting La Liga stay
However, it seems Asensio wants to remain in his native Spain and continue fighting for La Liga titles.
And you can’t really blame him. Barca may not be the force they once were. But they are certainly back on the up under the management of Xavi.
Another factor that must be considered is Barca’s offer of Champions League football. They are in the competition after finishing second in La Liga last term.
Newcastle, in contrast, cannot offer Asensio this as they came 11th in the Prem last season.
Asensio ideally wants to continue playing in the UCL, which makes a Newcastle move unlikely next summer.
Should the Magpies get into Europe at some point over the next few years, then a swoop for Asensio could finally prove successful. They may have to prize him away from Barca at that point, however.